Mexico Packing List: What Worked and What Didn’t from Rachel Sasser

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We’re always taking notes of that item that was perfect in the moment and gave us exactly what we needed. We enjoy the practice of mastering what’s essential to pack and what felt like added weight, always remembering that we can never fully predict our needs while traveling. That’s why we’re excited to share an in depth reflection on the essential Mexico packing list from Rachel Sasser of Trailing Rachel to help you prepare for our dream retreats in Oaxaca or Todos Santos.

This is the last post I’m going to squeeze out of my Mexico travels, I swear. But for once, I impressed myself with my own packing efficiency and style. My goals for this packing list were twofold: To avoid looking like a tourist (to the extent possible one can with blonde hair in Mexico) and to fit everything into a carry-on. For the most part, I feel like I succeeded. Now I think I have a good grip on what works for the different types of weather and altitudes in Mexico, what’s comfortable enough to wear for a full day of walking, and what doesn’t make you look like an absolute dweeb in a foreign country (no white tennis shoes were packed, guys).

Before my trip, I found this post from Travel Fashion Girl which contains some tips for attire in the cities and beaches of Mexico. It provided me some inspiration for outfits included in my own Mexico packing list, which I’ve fine-tuned a bit since my trip.

Below are the things I ended up wearing or using a ton, along with a list of what I totally could’ve left at home.

Basic Staples

Solid tanks, a white T, and skinny jeans or jeggings. I know, such a profound idea. Throw in a maxi skirt and a black, racerback maxi dress and there you have it, my uniform for the trip.

I found that having solid, basic tops that I could wear repeatedly, paired with summer scarves (2 from Bevello), worked best. I had a stretchy, black tank from Old Navy that I wore with a maxi skirt for two days of the trip – I wish I’d bought that tank in every color dammit. I also brought my favorite shirt ever – a soft white James Perse T-Shirt (found at TJ Maxx) that I wore multiple times with jeggingsor some skinny black pants like these, but from H&M. A Free People asymmetrical tank was great for pairing with those same jeans or a pair of jeggings… and it was loose enough to accommodate our constant eating. My long black maxi dress from H&M was a good call too – and especially versatile for the day that involved flying to Oaxaca, wandering for hours, and eating a fancy dinner out. I know, I know, these aren’t exactly fabulous brands, but I don’t really buy nice things you guys.

In the realm of shoes, I packed Rainbow flip flops, black Bamboo sandals (found at Rugged Warehouse for $4, you know, for more dressy occasions where flip flops aren’t acceptable), and gray Toms. I also had to pack a pair of heels (and a nice dress) for Bertha’s wedding, but there’s really no reason for heels in Mexico. Yes, all of the local women love them, but I personally felt like I’d just hurt myself trying to walk around in public in them. And while you’re at it, tennis shoes aren’t everyday apparel here either. I bought that pair of Tom’s specifically for this trip. I needed something that would be comfortable for walking around a lot, but as with traveling anywhere, something that didn’t scream, “I’m a huge goober carrying around tons of cash!”

Pants, Not Shorts

I know what you might be thinking. It’s Mexico, why are you wearing jeggings you fool? Well, although I cannot explain to you the reasoning behind it, Mexicans do not wear shorts that often. After speaking with some locals on this topic and doing some Internet research, it seems that Americans (and Australians!) are pretty much the only folks who do wear shorts in public all the time. Of course, I did wear shorts at the beach where it’s more common. Obviously it’s hot as hell on the beaches in Mexico and there are lots more tourists on the coast, but in the cities, you want to look a little more… fashionable? European? I don’t know, but just say no to the shorts unless you want to look like a painfully obvious tourist.

So I Bought Some Accessories There

I couldn’t help but buy some things for my wardrobe in Mexico (because souvenirs). I got a flowy navy scarf with skulls on it for 60 pesos (~$4) on the street in Guanajuato and, of course, a fedora for 80 pesos (~6) which I proceeded to wear everywhere – it really made me feel like a seasoned, fancy traveler. In reality, I’m sure it made me look even more touristy, but it also made it that much easier to not wash my hair.

The Best Carry-On

I got a sweet Samsonite, hard-sided 20″ spinner carry-on from TJ Maxx (see a trend here?) for $80 before we left. It’s silver with brown leather accents and it is a beauty. More than being aesthetically pleasing, it’s super convenient, as it spins and glides around the airports with ease and holds up on cobblestone streets. If you’re not taking a backpack, one of these is your best friend. It fits a ton and can even expand. Just don’t pay full price for one because they can be outrageously priced. I’m posting a similar one in the collage below since I can’t seem to find the color I bought anywhere on the Internets but this Samsonite 20″ spinner is extremely close (same interior and everything). But trust me, these things are so practical. Charlie was so jealous. Aside from that, I’d recommend the Le Pliage Longchamp Tote in large (I got navy); I have it in navy and have used it for law school, for work, and for every flight I’ve been on in the past few years.

Things I Packed That I Didn’t Wear

Jean shorts. I know. It’s in my “About Me” – I love jean shorts. I don’t know if they were just in the bottom of my bag and didn’t catch my eye or what. But even at the beach where it would have been socially acceptable to wear my perfectly worn out, sorority hand-me-down, loose J. Crew jean shorts, I did not break them out once. I blame it on the heat, humidity, and constant sweating. This gave me an extreme fear of chafing – it’s a real thing. Also, the sand. We went to the beaches every day, and I just couldn’t bear the thought of sandy jean shorts combined with walking unknown distances. I threw on my quick-drying Patagonia shorts instead.

Denim Shirt. This is a toss-up. I definitely could’ve worn this on the chillier nights in Celaya or Guanajuato, but I ended up wearing my beige, open-front Gap sweater instead. I just didn’t want to be locked into wearing long sleeves all day, as it was usually warm or hot in the daytime and cooler during the nights in Guanajuato and Oaxaca.

Leather Jacket. Okay, this was a stupid call. Shouldn’t have packed it. I did wear it to dinner in Oaxaca one night, but it was mostly just to get SOME use out of it and to avoid wearing that same damn sweater. I’m pretty sure Charlie told me it was unnecessary and/or stupid-looking.

Black Pashmina. Brought it for the wedding. Turns out you don’t have to cover up for all Catholic ceremonies and it didn’t get old enough to need it at the reception that night.

Good Ideas

Anti-Itch Stick or Ointment. I got bitten my SO many mosquitoes in Mexico. I don’t know if it was my blood type, or what I was eating, but I got eaten alive. Multiple times I thought, “If there is a rampant mosquito-transmitted disease going around in Mexico right now, I surely have it.” I counted thirty bites on my legs alone after we arrived in Oaxaca. Some nights at the beach I would stay awake because I was itching and constantly scratching. We brought a little stick called “StingEze” but I’d totally recommend any type of after-bite, anti-itch medication. Jeez. It was a life saver.

Minimal jewelry. I packed one bracelet and a cheap pair of stud earrings. Why bother packing, untangling, and worrying about losing unnecessary stuff? I didn’t even bring my watch.

Small, cross-body purse. I bought a small, black, two-zipper bag ($27) from Bevello before we left. It was so nice not to have a heavy purse to carry around all day and it really helped me minimize what I normally carry in my pocketbook. Cash, Charles Schwab debit card (no ATM fees or international fees), iPhone, chapstick, done. Also, the strap was removable so it became a decently dressy clutch for the wedding festivities.

A few of the links above are Amazon affiliate links to the exact products I packed, used, and recommend. Those below this point are just links to Polyvore and may not be exactly what I brought, but super similar.

What Else I Should’ve Packed

Nothing. Well, maybe a nice cover-up. Instead I threw on Patagonia shorts, aforementioned ratty sundress, and a sheer black tank top that has no valid place in my wardrobe and should probably be thrown out. You know, the good stuff.

Note: This is my first attempt at using Polyvore to make a collage or “set” as they call them, and it’s amateur so I apologize. While many of the items are the exact ones I packed, some are just lookalikes. And if you know me, you know I’d never spend $90 on a tank top. Also, you should never do that. And that the cross body purse was actually black and costs $27, not $100 like it says. Lots of things were picked up at TJ Maxx for much cheaper. And I got the Ray Bans on Ebay. I’m not fancy.